German residential camp, Vienna
(16-19)Our German residential camp in Vienna is for students aged 16 - 19. It’s perfect for responsible young adults who want a highly social experience that will improve their German knowledge and prepare them for further education. Our language school and student residences are close to the centre, meaning students are perfectly placed to soak up Austrian culture and put their language skills into practice in real-life scenarios. Vienna is a safe city that has a vibrant atmosphere, making it an ideal study location for young learners.
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Details
20 or 30 German lessons per week + activities and excursions* + half-board accommodation in one of several modern student houses. Teenagers stay in twin bedrooms with a sibling, friend, or another international student of the same gender. Bedrooms have two single beds, a fridge for storing drinks and snacks, a study space, and Wi-Fi access. Most rooms have en-suite bathrooms, though some do not. Staying in this style of lodging is great preparation for higher education, since these houses are university halls of residence outside summer!
The residences are located around 20 minutes’ travel from the school by public transport; to cover these journeys, students can purchase a transport card at the school for approximately €20. Bed linens and towels are provided by the school and changed weekly; rooms are cleaned weekly, though students are responsible for keeping their space tidy. Coin-operated laundry facilities are available on-site in all student houses, so pupils can take care of this themselves. Juniors receive a key for the residence and are given the freedom to come and go as they please. A key deposit of €100 is required in cash on arrival; this is returned on departure providing rooms are left in a suitable condition and the key is returned. Students who already have accommodation in the area can book a day programme (consisting of lessons, lunch, and activities) at our language centre.
Two course types are available on this programme: Intensive (20) and Super-intensive (30). Core Intensive lessons take place either in the morning or the afternoon, depending on students’ starting ability levels and the number of other students of each level in attendance. Morning lessons are held between 09:00 and 12:15, and afternoon lessons are held between 14:15 and 17:30. The additional 10 lessons on the Super-intensive programme are scheduled around the core timetable and follow on from the Intensive classes, using the same materials and covering the same topics.
Lesson schedules can only be confirmed on the first day, once all students have arrived and been assessed. There is a maximum of 12 pupils in each group, which guarantees that all students get plenty of language practice. Course materials can be borrowed or purchased on-site. Each student will receive a detailed progress report at the end of their stay, which can be used to demonstrate the ability level they have achieved during their time at the school.
Activities are included in the programme price and arranged around the lesson schedule. All activities are conducted in German, giving students extra language exposure and practice. These activities - provided by school staff members - are designed to be fun and age-appropriate.
There are at least 4 activities offered each week, which could include:
- Walking tours of the city
- Sports and group games
- German film screenings
- Viennese Waltz lessons
- Evening parties or trips to the city
*Optional extras available for an additional fee include:
- Guided tours of museums such as the Albertina Art Museum or the Imperial Treasury (entrance included)
- Trips to the theatre or the opera to see a show
- Visits to attractions such as Belvedere Palace or Schönbrunn Zoo
- Full-day excursions to locations such as Lake Neusiedl, Wachau Danube Valley, and Salzburg
Note: Teenagers attending this programme are given a high level of independence and responsibility. We find that this level of autonomy allows teenagers to gain a sense of independence and cultivate key life skills. Those looking for supervised programmes should see the 12 - 17 Summer School package.
Did you know? Parents can arrange adult courses for themselves at our Vienna school, while juniors enjoy their specialised programme in the teenagers’ school next door.
Suitability
This course is suitable for students of any nationality aged 16 - 19. The programme is provided at all levels, from complete beginner right up to advanced. Tuition focuses on a range of skills, including grammatical fundamentals, practical communication, and language comprehension. Dynamic classroom activities help to strengthen students’ spoken ability and develop their cultural understanding of the German-speaking world.
This programme offers young students almost complete independence. While teachers and school staff members are on-hand during the day to assist as needed, there is no supervision after the activity programme has finished. Teenagers attending this programme are treated like the young adults they are and are given the freedom to experience Vienna as they choose. This level of autonomy allows teenagers to gain a sense of independence and cultivate key life skills; we find that this is highly beneficial for personal development. This programme is therefore only suitable for students who are mature and comfortable with personal responsibility. Those looking for a higher level of supervision may prefer the 12-17 German summer school.
School
Lessons for teenagers take place in our specialised juniors’ school, which is right next door to our general adult school. The juniors’ building has 15 classrooms especially for teenagers and a student library with multi-media German-language resources. These materials are designed to complement the tuition given in lessons and help to ensure rapid language development. The building also has a student lounge with computers that can be used to complete schoolwork or to get in touch with friends and family. The school is surrounded by a wealth of shops and cafés, so students’ needs are easily catered for - they can experience life in Vienna as soon as they walk out the door!
The language centre is within easy walking distance of the huge Schloss Belvedere complex, a sprawling public park with two Baroque palaces, the Imperial Stables - which now houses an expansive collection of European art - and gardens with a selection of statues and sculptures. Other nearby attractions include the iconic Karlsplatz public square, the Vienna Operahouse, and the Arnold Schönberg Centre for music. The city centre is only 20 minutes from the school by public transport; since the nearest tram and bus stops are just 3 minutes’ walk away, students have easy access to Vienna’s best attractions.
This school has been running German-language courses for juniors for over 30 years, so it is well-versed in providing immersive tuition to teenagers of all backgrounds and abilities. As a member of Campus Austria and the International Association of Language Centres (IALC), the facility is committed to ensuring that its language instruction is of the highest quality.
Note: During busy periods, some teenagers may have their language lessons in the adult school in age-appropriate groups.
Vienna
Often referred to as the City of Dreams, Vienna has held the top spot for ‘most-liveable city’ on Mercer’s Quality of Living survey for 9 years running. Since its beginnings as a key Roman military camp, Vienna has developed into a cultural hub and centre of European politics. In fact, the city was at one time the most important city in Europe, having been the capital of both the Holy Roman Empire and the sprawling Austro-Hungarian Empire. Though famed for its classical music, art and history museums, and European café culture, Vienna is also vibrant and modern and offers something for everyone. With an energetic alternative music scene, lovely city-centre parks, interesting shops, and an exciting variety of cuisines available in the centre, it’s no wonder that the city attracts almost 7 million tourists a year. What’s more, with warm summers and a safe, pedestrianised centre, Vienna is an excellent study location for teenagers.
The city is split into 23 districts, many offering a veritable smorgasbord of sights. Innere Stadt, Vienna’s Old Town, has some of the most impressive cultural attractions in the city, including the Hofburg Imperial Palace, former seat of the Holy Roman Empire and the current residence and workplace of Austria’s President. Kartner Strasse, also in the Old Town, is excellent for some retail therapy, while the Volksgarten (‘People’s Garden’) is a green oasis amidst the city’s stunning stone buildings. Culture-vultures can walk the 60,000 square metres of exhibition space in the MuseumsQuartier, a cluster of 9 museums close to the centre. The area between the museums is a popular hang-out for young Viennese people, so it’s a great place to practice German! Near here is Burggasse, the stomping ground of the city’s creatives; it’s easy to get lost in its cool cafés and independent thrift stores. In Wieden is the Naschmarkt, Vienna’s largest fresh food market. This now-permanent fixture has existed since the 16th century and offers fruit, vegetables, and spices, as well as clothes and furniture at weekends. Art fans will love this area for its small galleries and craft shops, while architecture-lovers should check out the Karlsplatz Stadtbahn Station, designed by Art Nouveau virtuoso Otto Wagner.
As the mother of Sigmund Freud, Gustav Klimt, and Niki Lauda, of the Sachertorte and classical music and world-changing literature, Vienna’s influence is felt throughout the modern world. Damaged at various intervals by wars and invasions, the city has every time rebuilt itself into the multi-faceted metropolis it is today, promising entertainment and education aplenty. With so many exciting attractions, it’s impossible to be bored here. Vienna is the ideal location for young students to experience life in another country, learn another language, and gain some responsibility before moving into higher education or the world of work.
How to get there
The Austrian capital has its own airport, Vienna International Airport, which is around 30 minutes’ drive from the city centre.
From here, students can take public transport to their lodging or they can book an airport transfer service. If they select this service, they will be collected on arrival at the airport and taken straight to their accommodation. If they select this service on departure as well, students will be collected from their accommodation and taken to the airport in time for their departing flight.
Teenagers should plan to arrive in Vienna on the Sunday before their lessons start and leave on the Saturday after their lessons finish. We may be able to organise additional nights on arrival and/or departure to fit in with students’ travel plans.
Location of our school in Vienna
Prices for Vienna
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Company Number: 08311373
